For a long time, Abdi Aden felt unable to talk about his experiences as a young boy in Somalia.
The Roxburgh Park resident came to Australia as an asylum seeker in 1992 after civil war broke out in Somalia.
He was just 15 years old when he fled the country.
Two years ago, Mr Aden released a book – Shining: The story of a lucky man – telling the story of his life.
Now, the author has released a second book, this time opting to write a children’s book about his life as a young boy in Somalia before the civil war.
Mr Aden said Yes I Can came about as a result of speaking tours he did to promote his first book.
“After writing my memoir and attending many schools to speak about my journey, I was continually asked about my life in Somalia before the war,” he said. “I also speak at many primary schools and the teachers would often ask if I had a book that would be suitable for younger readers.”
Mr Aden said the decision to share his story was relatively easy to make.
“I did not take a lot of convincing. My family and friends encouraged me to do this for Somalia and for many others who have to flee their homeland in search of safety,” he said.
Yes I Can will be released later this year.
